Rainier Beer: A look back

By By VANESSA HO

on October 23, 2013 10:43 AM

Photo: DAN DELONG/P-I file

Image 1of/21

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 21

For more than a century, Rainier Beer was Seattle's beer, brewed in the city and known for its goofy, outdoorsy Northwest ads. With the return of the "R" to the skyline, here's a trip back to when Georgetown brewed Rainier, and the "RainBeers" danced above I-5.
This dance on top of the old Rainier Brewery in Seattle happened in 1997. It was a celebration of a beloved, '70s-era Rainier Beer campaign.
(Click the photos for more history and info on the return of "R," which will replace Tully's "T.") less

For more than a century, Rainier Beer was Seattle's beer, brewed in the city and known for its goofy, outdoorsy Northwest ads. With the return of the "R" to the skyline, here's a trip back to when Georgetown ... more

Photo: ROBERT SORBO, Associated Press

For more than a century, Rainier Beer was Seattle's beer,... Photo-5236988.70866 - seattlepi.com

Image 2 of 21

Who remembers the Rainier Beer ads of croaking frogs, the "RainBeer" herd, and its namesake mountain? (Nostalgic videos below.)
This ad with Mount Rainier in the background ran in the '70s.

Who remembers the Rainier Beer ads of croaking frogs, the "RainBeer" herd, and its namesake mountain? (Nostalgic videos below.)
This ad with Mount Rainier in the background ran in the '70s.

Tully's "T" stands on the old Rainier brewery, now called the Rainier Commons. Bought from bankruptcy in 2013, Tully's is moving out of the building, which prompted building owner, Shimon Mizrahi, to want the Rainier "R" back.
"They cannot go and leave the 'T'," Mizrahi recently told seattlepi.com. "We thought naturally to replace the 'T' with the 'R'." less

Tully's "T" stands on the old Rainier brewery, now called the Rainier Commons. Bought from bankruptcy in 2013, Tully's is moving out of the building, which prompted building owner, Shimon Mizrahi, to want the ... more

New Tully's owner Michael Avenatti said Tully's had the right to keep the "T" at its current spot until about 2020. But he said the "T" never should have gone up in the first place.
"The replacement of the ‘R’ with the ‘T’ some 13 years ago was a mistake," Avenatti said in a statement. "That part of the Seattle skyline has always truly belonged to the ‘R’ - some things should never change and this is one of them.” less

New Tully's owner Michael Avenatti said Tully's had the right to keep the "T" at its current spot until about 2020. But he said the "T" never should have gone up in the first place.
"The replacement of the ... more

Rainier Commons co-owner Shimon Mizrahi said he's working with Pabst to bring back the "R." Pabst, which owns Rainier Beer, said the "R" will be back on Oct. 24.
"This is something we’ve been working on for months in cooperation with Columbia Distributing and MOHAI, as well as Western Neon and the owners of the building, Ariel Development," said Pabst spokesperson Dan McHugh in a statement.
(Pictured is the old Rainier brewery in the '70s.) less

Rainier Commons co-owner Shimon Mizrahi said he's working with Pabst to bring back the "R." Pabst, which owns Rainier Beer, said the "R" will be back on Oct. 24.
"This is something we’ve been working on ... more

The original "R," pictured, went to MOHAI in 2000. The comeback "R" will be a replica made by Western Neon.

The original "R," pictured, went to MOHAI in 2000. The comeback "R" will be a replica made by Western Neon.

Photo: DANIEL SHEEHAN, P-I File

The original "R," pictured, went to MOHAI in 2000. The... Photo-5237001.70866 - seattlepi.com

Image 15 of 21

Pabst says it will host a free public party at the Rainier Commons to celebrate the "R" return, with proceeds going to MOHAI.
"The party will be a chance to celebrate the history of Rainier in Seattle and see the restored, glowing icon back in its rightful place atop the old brewery after a 13-year absence," said Pabst spokesman Dan McHugh.
(Pictured is the old Rainier brewery; date unknown.) less

Pabst says it will host a free public party at the Rainier Commons to celebrate the "R" return, with proceeds going to MOHAI.
"The party will be a chance to celebrate the history of Rainier in Seattle and ... more

Photo: P-I File

Pabst says it will host a free public party at the Rainier Commons... Photo-5237002.70866 - seattlepi.com

Image 16 of 21

The original Rainier "R" is pictured in MOHAI's gift shop. To help mark the return of the icon to Seattle's sky, Pabst will also do a "neighborhood crawl" with the "R" next month.

The original Rainier "R" is pictured in MOHAI's gift shop. To help mark the return of the icon to Seattle's sky, Pabst will also do a "neighborhood crawl" with the "R" next month.

Photo: Joshua Trujllo, P-I File

The original Rainier "R" is pictured in MOHAI's gift... Photo-5237003.70866 - seattlepi.com

Image 17 of 21

Pictured is the Rainier brewery in 1949, when 500,000 bottles were processed in the plant per day.

Pictured is the Rainier brewery in 1949, when 500,000 bottles were processed in the plant per day.